Curt Hagman

A strong-minded incoming county supervisor and two strong personality chief’s of staff will be coming to the Fifth Floor of the San Bernardino County Government Center on December 1.

Outgoing State Assemblyman Curt Hagman will replace retiring Gary Ovitt. Hagman will bring with him long-time republican politico Mike Spence as his chief of staff

Spence is known as someone who’s not afraid of a fight.

Also coming to the show is Former City Manager Andy Takata, as the new chief of staff to Supervisor Janice Rutherford. Takata will replace the low-key Chad Mayes, who was elected to the State Assembly on November 4.

Takata is a good choice by Rutherford. His type of experience is needed on the board side of the equation.

Hagman is the first state legislator to come to the board since fellow Republican Fred Aguiar. Aguiar was another strong-willed politician who took no prisoners.

It’s no secret, that in San Bernardino County, the Board of Supervisors have been esssentially relegated to figure-head status.

Several years ago, County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux, convinced the county supervisors to relinquish their authority to him. Along with that move came a title change, for Devereaux, to that of Chief Executive Officer.

Since then Devereaux is unaffectionately referred to as “The King” by some on the board and their staffs.

What’s transpired since has some supervisors disgusted and unhappy, but lacking the requisite intestinal fortitude to reverse course, thus leaving them with their essentially bumpkin status.

But, in the end, they did it to themselves.

Now back to Hagman. A person who definitely isn’t going to go along with the current, Banana Republic, governed by the Acalde, form of government. But then again, it’s still a Banana Republic, and we all know how that goes.

If Hagman can cobble together three votes, including himself, he and his colleagues may, once again, have a say in holding county staff accountable.

Devereaux finishes his fifth year in February, and he has already been granted a three-year extension to his contract. That gives him eight years in the county pension system. He needs to reach ten to vest a new pension from the county system. Devereaux, who’s base salary is $305,000, already receives a pension from the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) of roughly $195,000 per year.

If Devereaux makes it ten years then he will garner another pension in the $130,000 to $150,000 range.

The first question is do these new employees REALLY know what they are facing? Have they EVER been in a system such as this one?

They can be Seal Team 6 qualified and combat proven, BUT have they EVER fought a potential battle like the one we know they face?

DO NOT give a crap what anyone says as to, they have been there done that in the PAST!!!!

When they smell crap if they don’t immediately call it accordingly, then it will be statues quo. If in doubt we will just remind ourselfs of the two fat boys Ramos and Lovingood. Pathic as we know it now.

If Hagman is on top of his game, he already knows. If he doesn’t, STRIKE ONE for inept.

Non military leaders have no concept of intelligence prior to battle.

Anonymous on
November 22nd, 2014 4:10 pm

Curt is part of the club. He will not upset his political career. This is just more BS. If you think he is not knee deep in the murky political shit wagon in SB County your reading to much of Alpo. Com. This county and its players continue in the fashion of The mafia. Keep your mouth shut or you could go swimming with the fish politically.

Hangman is the new king of the republican party in corruption county. Why would anyone join the party? The people in the party are just as stupid as the democratics.

Look at the number of voters turning out. They see the registrar of voters as a puppet to the board of supervisors. why vote? You vote will not count. Same people elected year in and year out.

Kenneth Holtz on
November 22nd, 2014 10:07 pm

Well #2 it won’t take but a couple months to confirm your statement one way or the other.

Guess I better buy some hip waders.

Anonymous on
November 23rd, 2014 8:49 am

Hagman, ramos and lovingoog need to change the ordinance and return Deveraux to CAO status instead of CEO. He will start finding an exit route, the Board will regain its authority. Simole as that.

General Public on
November 23rd, 2014 7:32 pm

Will Jim block my comment??

Anonymous on
November 24th, 2014 6:31 am

The people in San Bernardino county get what they voted for. They continue to allow career politicians to dominate this county and do nothing for the populous. We will see the board plummet with the hacks in office now.